Israel Two Ports Three Days: Day Two Haifa

Tuesday April 23, Haifa the Next Port

Haifa is a northern city of Israel likened to San Francisco

The Baha'i Shrine and Gardens of Haifa are amazing. Unfortunately this picture does not do it justice

Obviously we are back home but catching up with my postings. Mainly to have my personal reflections of the cruise but also for others to follow.

A Day in Bethlehem and Jerusalem

A long 13 hour day and a day which seemed the whole of the country was doing exactly what we were. It is Easter holidays which this year coincided with the Jewish passover holiday, resulting in everybody visiting this holy site at the one time.

After a 2.5 hour journey to Bethlehem we passed through the wall.

The Israeli West Bank barrier or wall ......... is a separation barrier in the West Bank or along the Green Line. Israel considers it a security barrier against terrorism, while Palestinians call it a racial or apartheid wall. (Copied from WIkipedia)

We visited the the Church of Nativity. Reputably built on the site of Jesus birth.

close up of mosaics

The amazing mosaics in the Church of Nativity

Great Guide

The suffocation at the entrance

Our guide (best one on the whole trip) explains what we are seeing here as we line up with the crowds to visit the grotto where the crib of Jesus was. The crib is now in France.

The place of the crib. I did not get down to kiss it. Lots did!

From here (after the compulsory stop at the souvenir shop) we headed off to Jerusulum (1.5 hour drive). Stop off point was the Gardens of Gethsemane.

Christ in the garden

The Garden

I have visited Jerusulum before and was telling the others how interesting it is and so very much

looked forward to visit it once more. But things did not turn out as hoped. The enormous crowds and the inadequate skills of our guide did not give us a clear view of what Jerusulum is. The Way of the Cross, (the path taken by Christ to the crucifixion), the Wailing Wall and the Church of Holy Sepulcher were the major attractions.